Flower Mound Road undergoes repairs

LAWTON, Okla._A Comanche County road that was damaged in the ice storm of 2010 is finally getting repaired, but it'll create some travel problems for a little more than a month.

Crews started work Tuesday morning on a five-mile stretch of Flower Mound Road from Bishop Road to Baseline Road. Only those who actually live along Flower Mound Road will be allowed to get through. A majority of the $440,000 cost, 75 percent, is being covered by FEMA, because the road was damaged by the weather.

This is the last of many roads to be repaired following the damage from the 2010 ice storm. The heavy ice and rain caused foundation issues and water damage, leaving many roads uneven and unsafe to drive on. Although five miles will be blocked off along Flower Mound Road, County Commissioner Gail Turner says only portions of that road will be pulled and repaved.

"We will be working about a mile of that five miles where the worst damage is; we will be going in, milling up the road," Turner explained.

Milling is a process where the old asphalt is broken up and pulled out so new asphalt can then be laid down. Once that new asphalt is down, it will dry instantly. The project is expected to take about 45 days, although the county is hoping a little extra work will put them ahead of their mid-January deadline.

"We have about 11-12 county workers on this project, and we will have from 6-10 on it until we get through. We'll concentrate our efforts on it because it’s a major traffic road and it’s used by a lot of people," Turner said.

The county will allow school buses to pass in order to enter Flower Mound Elementary, which is located at the north end of the construction zone. Residents who live along Flower Mound Road will be allowed through. Superintendent Kenny Curry urges them to be aware the dangers of the construction zone.

"Cause some roads will be cut in one lane and not the other, and there will be a six-inch drop off," Curry said.

"We appreciate everybody's consideration. And we are excited to get this project done, because the road had a lot of damage and it will be a lot safer once we get it done," Turner said.

Traffic will be detoured to Southeast 45th Street on the east side of the project, and to Railroad Street on the west side. Workers and visitors to the GEO prison will be able to reach the facility by taking Tinney Road.